Across Montana's highways streaks car #21 ahead of the pack
in the Montana Model-T Cross-country Endurance Run. What an
envious position for Association President, Al Rieker, Overcast
skies, the wind at his back, first place was in the bag with an
eleven minute lead and 542 miles behind him. Thirty miles to the
checkered flag and thunk the crank shaft broke putting Al out of
the running. Al's breakdown wasn't the only one, but certainly
the most dramatic when twenty seven Ford T's were pitted against
Montana's mountains & plains.
The Montana Model T Cross Country Endurance Run has been
called many things. From the Great Montana T Race to the
"T" Model Marathon. With coverage in such distinguished
publications as Road & Track, The Vintage Ford, and Rod &
Custom,thjs endurance run has grown to International fame.
The 13th Annual Model "T" Endurance Run started at
9:00 A.M., June 27, within sight of the Capitol Building at
Helena. First stop Great Falls for lunch, then on to Havre, where
the Ford "T"s tied up for the might.
The first day was not without it's trials. Car #4, driven by
Phil Polillo never got out of sight of the Capitol before a rod
gave out. John Morris, Phil's partner, brought up the trailer and
the car was taken to Havre, rebuilt that night. The team was
given slow time for the day and time penalties. Car #4 faulted
again the next day 20 miles out. The "T" lost its oil,
overheated badly losing compression. Phil and John decided to
leave the race, but plan to return next year.
The first day saw five more cars go under as the Fords
followed interstate 15 along the Missouri River. John Foos with
#12 was out of the running, but by the noon lunch plans were
already formed to use #12's differential in Norm Eberhardt's car
#27, who also broke down.
By the end of the first day the Fords had run themselves out
of the Rockies into the Montana Highline Country at Havre.
Spending the night here, the Association drivers and officers met
that evening for a briefing on the run for the next day.
Afterwards Clement Englmann of Chicago, Ill., treated the
Association to a motion picture spectacular covering last year's
Endurance Run and other events. Mr. Englmann had some of the best
footage I've seen.
The second day saw the "T"s off Thursday morning
running the Highline to Harlem, then to Lewistown and Harlowton
for the overnight stop. The Highline Country affords the drivers
the most freedom as the roads are flatter, straighter, and with
less traffic. A hundred miles or more of T Roadsters trying to
pass one another nip and tuck jockeying for time. many an
enthusiast enjoyed this "out take" of a 1927 movie.
It had become overcast and the Fords drove into a down pour
outside of Harlowton before tying up for the night In Harlowton
the club was treated like royalty. The Chamber of Commerce put on
a banquet, gave trophies and cash prizes, gave a tour of the town
and stored the "T" cars out of the elements. It's
co-operation like this that makes the event. The last day the
pack left Harlowton for a half day run into Helena, then stopping
at White Sulpher Springs where the Jaycees gave the club a free
coffee break. Next to Townsend then to the finish line.
Al Rieker from Boulder, Montana, lost his 1st place lead when
his crank shaft broke and the Californians took the checkered
flag. 1st place Scott Rawlings, 2nd John French and 3rd Jack.
Collins. All three were from Lancaster, California.
In the Cast Classification was lst place Perry Matthews, 2nd
Rich Armstrong, and 3rd Bill Shipley.
The tear downs themselves took about one hour and are very
detailed. The pan, head folding windshields & other points
not to be opened without the judges knowing are sealed before the
race. A team of inspectors check each car meticulously, if any
discrepancy appears they are disqualified and more cars are torn
down until winners are confirmed. Last year three cars in the
aluminum class were disqualified before winners were confirmed.
This year there were no disqualifications. Mandatory tear downs
are a key point here. By being club rules, no member has to
challenge another. Hard feelings are avoided, unlike some clubs
that require one person to post tear down bond to inspect
another.
Needless to say these are not the bailing wire junkers that
some would lead us to believe. Mechanically, they are perfection
in stock "T" Fords. Sometimes the crank and trans are
sent as much as 1500 miles away for balancing. We heard of
differential gears and cranks, chrome plated to reduce friction.
Of course you can always get a conversation going on the pros
& cons of different types of banding material, they have
tried them all.
The ability of men and cars is testified by over 14,000 miles
driven in three days by 27 different drivers without an accident
or traffic violation.
The top four cars in each class went to the mandatory tear
downs at Placer Motors, Helena. The rest of the T's gathered at
the fairgrounds, where the trophies were later presented. A very
accommodating Placer Motors moved four new Olds in order to make
room for the Model "T" Club tear downs in front of
their showroom.
All of the Association met at Bairs Truck Stop in Helena
where arrangements had been made. The club enjoyed a fine meal in
the Banquet Room before splitting up for the trophy awards.
At the Helena Fairgrounds the trophies and cash prizes were
handed out with due ceremony and a keg of beer. President Al
Rieker presiding. During the many interviews I never spoke to a
club member that wouldn't be back next year.
After the awards were over and I walked back to my truck
thinking of the past three days, I thought brotherhood would be a
better word than association for these guys. The acts of
friendship, good sportsmanship, and yes, even heroism displayed
in these 572 miles so typified the old car enthusiast. It's no
question but what the Montana 500 has earned its honorable place
in the annuls of Model "T" History.